Chapter 4: The American Revolution1754-1783

Dates to know: Section 1 & 21754: Albany Conference

Led to Albany Plan of Union – Ben Franklin1754-1763: French & Indian War

British vs. French/Indians in the American Colonies1763: Pontiac’s Rebellion1763: Proclamation of 17631764: Sugar Act, Currency Act1765: Stamp Act, Quartering Act1765: Stamp Act Congress1767: Townshend Acts1769: Virginia Resolves1770: Boston Massacre1772: Gaspee Affair1773: Boston Tea Party1774: Coercive Acts or Intolerable Acts1774: Quebec Act1774: First Continental Congress: Philadelphia

Drafted Declaration of Rights and Grievances1775: Lexington & Concord1775: Second Continental Congress: Philadelphia

Drafted the Declaration of Independence1st shots fired in the American Revolution

1775: Battle of Bunker Hill1775: Olive Branch Petition

Last attempt by colonists to make peace with Britain1776: Common Sense Published

Thomas Paine’s appeal to the masses for Independence1776: Declaration of Independence

Message to the world as to the WHY the Am. Colonies feel the need to remove themselves from the greatest empire in the world…Great Britain.

Section 1: The Colonials Fight for their Rights

“The Country shall be independent, and we will be satisfied with nothing short of it” - Samuel Adams 1774

Colonies had grown accustomed to running their own affairs by the mid 1700’s. After Britain will fight in several wars (Imperial Wars) (4) the policy towards their colonial empire began to change. These wars had been expensive and Britain felt as if the colonies should pay a fair share. After the last war: French & Indian (1754-1763), Britain will begin a series of acts that will cause the relationship with the colonies to change drastically. Tension will mount over taxes and basic rights. This series of events will ultimately lead to…The Declaration of Independence!

The French & Indian War:The French and English had been fighting for dominance in Europe since the late 1600’s. The fighting eventually spilled over into the American Colonies.

*The fourth major war French & Indian (Colonial name)

orSeven Years War (European name)

1754: The Ohio River Valley was very important to both the British and the French. Conflict = WAR!

The First Skirmish:French:

The French enjoyed traveling down the Mississippi River to get to French Louisiana from French Canada. Ohio River Valley allowed that access.

British: British fur traders and land speculators (profits) became interested in the Ohio River Valley.

French started building forts to block the BritishMarquis Duquesne: French Governor of New France (Canada)British started building forts in retaliationRobert Dinwiddie: British Governor of VirginiaFrench seized British fort in PA and built Ft. Duquesne there!George Washington: (22 years old) Young British officerOrders: Seize Ft. Duquesne for the British: Expel the French!Washington’s troops open fire and accidentally kill French official

Campaign Begins:1754: Meet the French at Great MeadowsWashington retreated built Ft. Necessity (aptly named)Large French force defeated WashingtonFrench control the Ohio River ValleyWashington considered a hero for standing up to French

The Albany Conference:Before the French & Indian War started:

The British urged the colonies to work together (unify)Secure an alliance with the Iroquois tribe against the French.7 colonies sent representatives to Albany, New YorkAchievements:

1. Iroquois agreed to remain neutral with French & British2. Britain should appoint Supreme Commander of all British

troops in the colonies

3. Albany Plan of Union was born…B. FranklinThe Plan proposed that the colonies unite to form a federal government.Colonies rejected Plan of UnionSignificance: Colonial leaders were starting to see the benefits of unity for common defense.

The British Triumph:General Edward Braddock: British Commander in Colonies

(Old and not very effective)1400 British troops + 450 Colonial MilitiaLt. Colonel George Washington: Braddock’s AideMission: Take Ft. Duquesne from French

“These savages may indeed be a formidable enemy to your raw American militia.” –Edward Braddock to Ben Franklin

“Upon the King’s regular and disciplined troops, it is impossible they should make any impression.”–General Edward Braddock

Braddock’s troops were ambushed by the Huron & FrenchBraddock was shot and later diedInexperience British troops panickedWashington’s experience saved the British4 bullet holes in his coat and hatWashington organized a retreat

Major Significance: The British had been beaten and the American

Colonist had seen it done. Ended the idea of British Invincibility!

1756 The French & Indian War spread to Europe

Became known as the Seven Years War (1756-1763)

William Pitt (British Prime Minister) sent troops and fleet to N. America and India to defeat the French Empire. Cut off French suppliesIroquois realized French are losing…switched sides to BritishFrench were then badly outnumbered

1758General John Forbes: New British Commander in Colonies

Attack Ft. DuquesneFrench burned fort retreatedFort Pitt built by British at that sitePresent day site of Pittsburg, PA

1759General James Wolfe: British GeneralFleet sailed to QuebecGeneral Joseph Montcalm: French GeneralAttacked the British fleet Both young Generals were killedBritish won the battle…turning point in French & Indian War

1761Spain enters the war on the side of the FrenchBritain will take Cuba and the Philippines from Spain

1763French & Indian war that began in America was over in 1763Became a World War (Seven Years War)

Treaty of Paris 1763Eliminated the French in North AmericaBritain will receive all of New France (Canada)All land east of MS River becomes British (except New Orleans)

(Ohio River Valley)Spain gave Florida to BritainBritain gave Cuba and Philippines back to SpainFrance had to give all of Louisiana to Spain for losses they sufferedNew Orleans was given to Spain alsoHuge losses for the French! British now control all the lands East of the Mississippi River

The Colonies Grow DiscontentedTo achieve victory the British had gone in deep debt!The British expected the colonies to pay for their defense.Namely British troops in the colonies (defense)New policies to collect money placed on coloniesAngered the American ColonistsConflict!

The Proclamation Act of 1763:What:

A document stating that a line would be drawn to separate the colonists from the Native Americans on the frontier.

Colonists were not allowed to go east of the Appalachian Mts.

Why?Pontiac’s Rebellion

Chief of the Ottawa PeopleWent to war against British ColonistsAllied with several Native Am. TribesDestroyed British Forts on the FrontierMission was to stop Western settlement by BritishThe treaty with the Native Americans had been violatedThe British had promised not to settle beyond the Mts.Promise Broken!British in London MAD at colonist…Punishment: Proclamation of 1763

American Colonists were outraged at The Proclamation of 1763.

They felt as if they had fought hard beside the British troops and deserved the land beyond the Appalachians.

The British refused to finance another war in the American colonies!

Customs ReformCustoms = Taxes = DutiesEastern Merchants not happy with new tax reforms from Britain1763: George Grenville: New British Prime MinisterNeed to pay off debt and pay for 10,000 troops in N. AmericaGrenville realized that customs agents were not collecting much money in the coloniesColonists are smuggling: Not paying taxes on imports!Grenville set up new court system in the colonies to try smugglersVice-Admiralty Courts: Courts run by Naval officers

Not a Jury of your peers! Constitutional Rights violated!Must go to trial in Nova Scotia: Speedy trial violated!John Hancock: arrested and tried for smuggling…guilty!John Adams: John Hancock’s lawyer

Argued that vice-admiralty courts were illegal and denied rights

The Sugar ActThe American Revenue Act of 1764Revenue = MoneyRevenue Act: Law passed to raise moneyNew tax placed on sugar and other goods: silk, wine, coffee…Merchants complained INDIRECT TAX: Only merchants saw and paid the tax not colonists

Act also stated that smugglers were presumed guilty until proven innocent…opposite of rights!

Act also allowed British to seize goods without proof (due process)Parliament ignored all protests of the Sugar ActJames Otis: lawyer in the colonies

Argued that colonists were not represented in ParliamentColonists cannot be taxed by ParliamentParliament can regulate trade…cannot TAX!

“NO TAXATION WITHOUT REPRESENTATION”- James Otis

Currency Act of 1764Used to slow inflation (money losing value) banned the use of

paper money in the coloniesColonists protested…nothing done.

The Stamp Act Crisis1765: Grenville passed the Stamp Act tax through ParliamentCertain items had to have a stamp in order to purchase themEx. Newspapers, mortgages, deeds, wills, playing cards, dice…More offensive tax than Sugar or Currency ActDIRECT TAX: The average colonist had to pay the tax. (everyone)Quartering Act 1765

Colonists must pay for barracks for British troopsIf no barracks…colonists had to pay rent for troops to live

Colonies begin to protest with pamphlets and meetings“Virginians can only be taxed by our own representatives”Sons of Liberty

Organized by Isaac SearsWill be used throughout the colonies for protestsGroup that intimidated stamp distributors and British agentsOrganized Mob

Stamp Act Congress:1765 9 Colonies participatedMet in New York CityWrote: Declaration of Rights and GrievancesWritten by John Dickinson of PASent a petition to King George

Parliament should repeal the Stamp ActOnly colonist can tax colonist…not Parliament!

Nov. 1st 1765 Stamp Act took effectIgnored by colonistsBoycott all British goodsBuy imports from other countriesNon-Importation Agreements

All merchants agreed to refuse to buy British goods until Stamp Act was repealed.

It worked!

“The avenues of trade were all shut up”.

“We are at our wits end for want of money from the American Colonies”.

-British Merchants1766

British Parliament repeals the Stamp Act!Colonies celebrate!Actually put up a statue in NY to commemorate King George!

Declaratory Act: Passed at the same time the Stamp Act was repealedPassed to demonstrate Parliament’s authority over coloniesStated:

Parliament has the right and authority to tax the colonies in all cases whatsoever!

Townshend Acts1767: New Chancellor of Treasury…Charles TownshendAlso known as “Champagne Charley”Introduced new series of taxes for American colonists

“I will pluck the colonial goose with a minimum of squawking”

-Charley Townshend

These taxes came to be known as the Townshend ActsRevenue Act of 1767: new tax on items…TEA

Violators: Vice-Admiralty Courts! Presumed guilty until proven innocent Private property could be seized without due process Writs of Assistance:

General search warrants that allowed customs officers to search for smuggled items without probable cause or a legal warrant.

The Revenue Act of 1767 declared that Writs of Assistance were LEGAL! Total violation of the people’s rights!

Action and ReactionFurious!John Dickinson: Letters from a Farmer in Pennsylvania

Essays written protesting the Townshend ActsOnly assemblies had the right to tax colonistsCalled on all colonies to “bind together” to resist Acts

Sam Adams & John AdamsLeaders of the MassachusettsOrganized resistance in MACircular Letter

Drafted by Sam Adams & James OtisSent to all colonies to firm up resistance in all coloniesTownshend taxes would be used to pay Royal Officials!These officials were hated in the colonies!British officials ordered the letters withdrawnColonists in MA refusedMA Assembly dissolved! Non-Importation Agreements started back again

1769

Virginia ResolvesHouse of BurgessesOnly the House of Burgesses has the right to tax VirginiansHouse of Burgesses dissolved! Boycotts spread throughout colonies

Daughters of Liberty Formed for protestsSpinning Bees

Homespun clothes became a sign of patriotism!

The Boston Massacre 1770

Britain sent 1,000 troops to Boston in 1768The Bostonians hated the British “Lobster Backs”March 5, 1770: Guard harassed at Customs HouseCaptain Thomas Preston: Leader of British Troops in BostonShots fired…panic ensuedCrispus Attucks

1st to die for American RevolutionMulatto dock worker

Newspapers print: Boston Massacre!

News spreads throughout colonies that the British are willing to kill people who stand up for their rights.

Parliament decides to repeal the Townshend Acts

Except for one small tax…TEA!

Chapter 4: Section 2: The Revolution Begins!

Massachusetts Defies BritainBecause the British decided to repeal the Townshend Acts the crisis

ended for two years after the Boston Massacre.1772: Gaspee Affair

Gaspee: Customs ship sent to colonies to catch smugglersPatrolled the coast of Rhode IslandShip was hated by all in Rhode IslandConstantly raided ships without warrant and seized food and suppliesGaspee ran aground 1772 off the coast….stuck!Colonists burned the ship!British outraged!All suspects would be taken to England for trialViolation of rights! Trial by Jury of PEERS!Committees of Correspondence formed by Thomas JeffersonEach colony would create a committeeHelped unify colonies and shape public opinion against the BritishLeaders used the committees to coordinate resistance to the British

1773: Boston Tea PartyLord North: New Prime Minister in EnglandBritish East India Tea Company: Struggled to survive almost bankruptLord North decides to help Company Parliament passes the TEA ACT of 1773Tea Act allowed British tea to be cheaper than smuggled Dutch tea

British East India Company could sell directly to shopkeepersThey did not have to go through American merchants (Sam Adams, etc.)Merchants furiousOct. 1773: BEITC shipped 1,253 chest of tea to Boston, NY, Charles

Town and PhiladelphiaCommittees of Correspondence would not allow the tea to land in the

harbors. NY and Philadelphia: Tea sent back to EnglandCharles Town: Customs officers seized the tea and stored in warehouseDecember 1773:

Boston Tea Party: 342 chests of tea dumped into Boston Harbor“Brewing salty tea for the fish”150 men boarded the ship “Sons of Liberty”

Significance: Tea could not be delivered into shops because it would have been sold to colonists. The colonists longed for the British tea…it was the best tea. They had been buying the smuggled Dutch tea because it was cheaper and they could afford it and it did NOT have a tax attached to it. Now… the British had tricked the colonist into paying taxes on the tea by making it cheaper than the Dutch tea. “Colonial Joe” would lose his principle of “NO taxation without representation” if the coveted tea was cheaper! Sam Adams knew that could not happen. If we as colonists, drink the British tea...we also drink the TAX! British tea with its hated tax can never hit the shelves!

Coercive Acts: Coerce: To compel or enforceKing George was furious about the “Tea Party” in Boston

“Concessions have only made matters worse, the time has come for compulsion” -King George

1774 Parliament passes 4 news laws intended to punish Boston

1. Boston Port Act: Shut down Boston HarborPort would remain closed until destroyed tea had been paid

2. MA Government Act: All judges, sheriffs, etc. would be appointed by the Royal Governor and not elected by the people. Banned town meetings.

3. Administration of Justice Act: All British soldiers and officials accused of a crime would be tried in England and not in the colonies.

4. Quartering Act: British soldiers must be lodged in private homes.

To enforce these acts: The British sent 2,000 troops to BostonThe British also appointed General Thomas Gage as Royal Governor of

MassachusettsThe King was not, according to British law, supposed to have a standing

army during peace time!

Quebec Act 1774:A month later…another slam by Parliament and King GeorgeNot intended to punish the colonies…but nonetheless…colonials furiousLaw: Gov. and council appointed by the King would run Quebec

Large amounts of land (OH, IL, MI, ID, WI) were given to

Quebec (FRENCH)! If colonials moved west…they would live in a area with NO elected

assembly. Complete control by the King and Parliament!

Significance: The Coercive Acts followed by the Quebec Act implied that the British were trying to end colonial self- government.

These acts together became known as the

INTOLERABLE ACTS!

The First Continental Congress 1774House of Burgesses calls for prayer and fasting for Boston

Sign of unity!

SC will send rice to Boston because port is closedSign of unity!

Other colonies furious about the treatment of Boston

“I know not what course others may take, but as for me, give me liberty or give me death”

-Patrick Henry

Committees of Correspondence were in place and planningSept. 5, 1774: First Continental Congress met in Philadelphia55 Delegates12 Colonies representedGeorgia not attending

Very RoyalToo Far

Moderate Delegates: Compromise with Britain! Joseph Galloway (PA)Radical Delegates: Time to Fight…Independence (Patrick Henry) (VA)Galloway’s Plan: Create Federal Gov. for colonies…like Albany Plan

Stay within the British Empire!Declaration of Rights & Grievances

Loyalty to the KingCondemned the Coercive ActsColonies will form a Non-Importation Association“The Association” Designed to implement the goals of the boycott of British goods (tarring and feathering violators)

Delegates all agreed to meet in Philadelphia in May of 1775 if crisis had not been resolved!

The Revolutions Begins!1774: MA forms Provincial Congress

Committee of Safety

John Hancock: LeaderComplete defiance of Gen. Gage (MA Governor)

Full scale rebellion in MAMinute-Men: Concord militia formed to be readyOpenly drilling and storing weapons

Loyalists and PatriotsLoyalists/Tories: Strong sense of loyalty to Britain

Anglican ministers, prominent merchants, landownersSome backcountry farmers remained loyalStrongest in GA, Carolinas, New York

Patriots/Whigs: The British had become TYRANTS!Represented a large cross section of the country…all typesStrongest in New England (MA) & Virginia

Civil War between Patriots & Loyalists!The majority of Americans did not really favor either sideThese people will support only the winner!

33% Loyalist/Tory33% Patriot33% Indifferent

Not exactly “unified” effort!

Lexington & ConcordApril 1775Gen. Gage sent to arrest John Hancock & Samuel AdamsLeaders of the Provincial Congress of MAGage went to seize the militia’s weapons at Concord19th of April in ’75…Gage enters Lexington on his way to Concord

Paul Revere & William Dawes sent word of the British comingThey warned Lexington…Continued to Concord and picked up Dr. Sam PrescottDawes and Revere were caught and arrested Prescott actually made it to Concord to warn of the BritishLexington:

70 Minute-men on village greenBritish warned them to disperseSHOT FIRED…no one knows the shooter“Shot heard ‘round the world”8 killed and 10 wounded…militia

Minuteman Concord Hymn

Ralph Waldo Emerson

By the rude bridge that arched the flood. Their flag to April's breeze unfurled,

Here once the embattled farmers stood And fired the shot heard round the world.

The foe long since in silence slept; Alike the conqueror silent sleeps;

And Time the ruined bridge has swept Down the dark stream which seaward creeps.

On this green bank, by this soft stream, We set to-day a votive stone;

That memory may their deed redeem, When, like our sires, are sons are gone.

Spirit, that made those heroes dare To die and leave their children free, Bid Time and Nature gently spare

The shaft we raise to them and thee.

Concord:British moved on to ConcordSent to seize weaponsAll weapons had been removedNorth Bridge: Ran into 400 colonial militiaBritish forced to retreat99 Redcoats killed174 Redcoats wounded49 Colonial Militia dead46 Colonial Militia woundedMay 1775 Colonial Militia had surrounded Boston trapping British

Second Continental Congress3 weeks after Lexington & Concord2nd Continental Congress meets again in Philadelphia

Named the militia the Continental ArmyGeorge Washington appointed General Commander of ArmyJune 16th 1775: Battle of Bunker Hill

General Gage sent 2,200 Redcoats to take Breed’s HillAmerican General: William Prescott

“Don’t fire until you see the whites of their eyes”The Continentals turned the British back twice Only retreated when they ran out of ammunitionBuilt American confidenceBritish suffered 1,000 casualtiesGeneral Gage resigned his post Replaced by General William HoweBritish were trapped in Boston

The Decision for Independence:

Most colonists were not ready to break from BritainMembers of Congress wanted to govern themselvesBut not break from the British Crown1776: Many colonial leaders frustrated…called for INDEPENDENCE!

Efforts at Peace:July 1775: Olive Branch Petition

Written by John DickinsonRequest: King George call off hostilities until situation is settled.

Radical delegates to the Congress ordered an attack on British in QuebecQuebec attack would convince the French to rebel and attack BritishMontreal captured but French did not rebelKing refused to look at Olive Branch PetitionThe Proclamation for Suppressing Rebellion and Sedition 1775

Issued by King George IIIStated that colonies are now full enemies of the British

No compromise likely…Congress starts pushing for Independence vote1. Sent out diplomats

2. Established a postal system3. Continental Navy4. Marine Corps5. Authorized legal privateering

The Fighting SpreadsVA Governor organized two Loyalist Armies

Whites and African Slaves1775 Patriot Army formed in the South

Attacked and defeated Governor’s Loyalist ArmyNC: Patriot troops won control of NCSC: British tried to seize Charles Town

Charles Town militia stopped themMA: Washington takes BostonDespite defeats: Brits are not backing down

Prohibitory Act: British Act to suffocate coloniesNaval Blockade and shut down all trade with colonies

British start recruiting Mercenaries: hired soldiersHessians: German hired soldiers30,000 hired

Common Sense & IndependenceJanuary 1776: Thomas Paine publishes Common Sense

A pamphlet to persuade the average colonist to fightUntil this pamphlet everyone had been angry with ParliamentPaine argued that King George III was a TYRANTIt only makes Common Sense...We should be INDEPENDENT!

“Everything that is right or reasonable pleads for separation. The blood of the slain, the weeping voice of nature cries, 'tis

time to part.”

-Thomas Paine, Common Sense, 1776

“The Sun never shined on a cause of greater worth.”

-Thomas Paine, Common Sense, 1776

“Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder

the conflict, the more glorious the triumph.”-Thomas Paine 1776

3 months: 100,000 copies soldChanging the “minds of men” - George Washington

Declaration of Independence CommitteeJohn Adams: MAThomas Jefferson: VARoger Sherman: CTRobert Livingston: NY

July 4th 1776: Declaration of Independence adopted by Second Continental Congress

The American Revolution had officially begun!